Anthropology of Paramilitary Groups in Slovakia: How and Why are Civilians Mimicking the Military

Paramilitary organizations do not have a strong tradition in modern Slovakia but gained enough attention recently that the newly elected government included them into its program statement. Paramilitaries often reflect broader societal fears, values, and political climates. Studying these groups provides insights into how cultural factors, such as nationalism, ontological insecurity, and anti-system sentiments contribute to their emergence. This context is especially valuable in the situation of growing anger about the price of living and fears of war. Currently, several unaffiliated paramilitary organizations operate in Slovakia, with not much known about them. Our team will study the Slovak paramilitary scene, analyzing the situation, conducting field research and qualitative interviews with members of paramilitary organizations, producing understanding of the societal factors contributing to their emergence, analyzing the situation far policymakers and provide holistic insight into the phenomena.